Window shade



w. M. STREBY 1 Nov. 8, 1 938.

' wmbow SHADE Filed May 12. 1938 z Sheets-Sheet 1' 4 u aummimy swam kw Patented Nov. 8 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE wmnow snana Waldo M. Streby, North Canton, Ohio Application May 12, 1938, Serial No. 201,522

11 Claims.

be tilted'at various'angles to obtain the desired 5 lighting effect in a room, depending upon the position and intensity of the sunlight.

An object of the invention is the provision of a shade. of the character referred to in which mechanism is provided for moving the several slats laterally across a window opening and then simultaneously tilting all sired angle.

Another object is to provide a shade of this character in which the slats extend vertically 5 across the window opening.

A further object is to provide such-a shade in which two sets of slats are arranged to be moved toward or from each other from opposite sides of the window opening.

A still further object is to provide a shade of the type above referred to in which the slats are adapted to be moved across the window opening and tilted to the desired angle by means of a series of lazy tongs and a threaded shaft.

The above objects together with others which will be apparent from the drawings and following description, or which may be later referred to may be attained by constructing the improved .window shade in the manner illustrated in the an accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved shade applied to a window, showing the lazy tongs in the fully extended position and the slats in the fully open position,

Fig. 2, an enlarged fragmentary, top plan view of the improved shade showing the same in the fully retracted position.

Fig. 3, a fragmentary elevation of the the same position as shown in Fig. 2,

.Fig. 4, a fragmentary top plan view of the shade showing the lazy tongs in the fully extended position and the slats tilted to closed position,

Fig. 5, a fragmentary elevation of the shade in the same position as shown in Fig. 4,

shade in Fig. 6, a fragmentary top plan view of the shade in the same position as shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 7, a fragmentary elevation of the portion of the shade in the position shown in Fig. 6, I

5 Fig. 8, an enlarged transverse section taken as on the line 8+8, Fig. I

of window of the slats to any de- Fig. 11, a fragmentary section taken as on the line H-l I, Fig. 10.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughoutthe drawings.

The improved shade to which the invention pertains is of the general character or type of the well-known Venetian blind, being formed of a plurality of parallel slats arranged to be tilted to any desired angle. Generally theinvention consists in providing 10 rods at two opposite sides of a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers being associated with each rod and carrying a plurality of spaced brackets slidable upon the rods, the slats being axially pivotally connected to these brackets.

The shade may be constructed with the slats located horizontally across the window opening as in the case of the ordinary Venetian blind, but in the preferred form of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter described in detail, the slats may be located vertically and arranged in two sets or series so that they may be retracted toward, or extended from opposite sides of the window opening in much the same manner as the ordinary window curtains or drapes.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings a horizontal rod I5 is located at the top of the window opening being journaled in brackets l6 which may be attached to the window frame in any suitable manner and a similar rod .ll may be located at the bottom of the window opening and journaled in brackets l8 attached to thewindow frame.

In order to provide for simultaneously operating two sets or. series of slats at opposite sidesof the window opening, each of the rods l5 and i! may have a right hand thread in the form of a groove l9 upon substantially one-half of its length and a left hand thread in the form of a groove 20 on the other half of its length.

Two sets or series of lazy tong levers 2| and 22 are associated with the left and right hand Portions respectively of the upper rod I5. A plu rality of equally spaced brackets of channel shape as shown at 23 is connected to each of the sets of lazy tong levers preferably by means of the pins 24 which pivotally connect each crossed pair of the levers, and these brackets are provided 22 is pivotally connected to an angular bracket 25 whichhas a suitable aperture 28 through which the rod 65 is located.

The angular end portion of this bracket 25,- through which the rod is located, is best shown in Fig. 11 located substantially in contact with the adjacent attaching bracket 86 and a friction washer 21 formed of leather, fiber or other suitable friction material is interposed between the bracket 25 and the collar 28 which is fixed upon the rod l5. I

A corrugated spring washer 29 is located between the bracket i5 and the collar 30 fixed upon the rod i5 and carrying the sprocket wheel 3|. This spring washer thus tends to hold the rod IS in frictional contact with the bracket 25 through the friction washer 21 and collar 28.

A sleeve or bushing 32 is connected at its ends to the spaced ears of each channel bracket 23 and the innermost bracket of each set or series has a pin or stud 33 carried by said sleeve or bushing and extended into spiral groove l9 or 20, as the case may be, in the rod l5 so as to extend or retract the lazy tong levers depending upon the direction in which the rod I5 is rotated.

For the purpose of connecting the slats 34 to the brackets 23 a ring 35 is rotatably mounted upon each sleeve or bushing 32 and provided with a depending end portion 36 upon which the corresponding slat 34 is axially rotatably mounted as by a channel clip 31 fixed to the upper end. of the slat, the depending end 36 of the ring being Journaled through the upper portion of said clip and provided with a head 38.

For the purpose of tilting these slats axially an arm 39 is provided upon each channel bracket 23 and a link 40 is connected at one end to said arm and at the other end to an ear 4| formed at the upper end of the corresponding slat and at the opposite side of the pivotal center of the slat from the arm 39.

Two sets or series of l'azy tong levers 2 la and 22a. corresponding respectively to the lazy tongs 2| and 22 are associated'with the lower rod I! and each has connected thereto at intervals channel brackets 23a. corresponding in construction and location to the brackets 23 of the upper mechanism.

The lower ends' of the slats 34 have channel clips 31a connected thereto to which are swiv-' eiled the upright extensions 36a of the rings 35a. Thus the lower ends of the slats are guided and moved in .unison with the upper ends when the two rods I5 and II are simultaneously rotated by means of the endless chain 42 located over the sprockets 3| and3la of the shafts I5 and I1 respectively.

In the operation of'the improved shade, assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with the lazy tongs in the retracted position and the slats turned edgewise with respect to the window opening, the rods i5 and I1 maybe simultaneously rotated by means of the chain 42 in a, direction to extend the lazy tongs and separate the channel brackets 23 and 23a carrying the slats.

As the upper rod I 5 is rotated in this direction the lazy tongs will be moved from a vertical position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 toward .a horizontal'position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 reaching the-complete horizontal position shown in said figures as the lazy tong levers reach the fully extended position shown.

The link connections 40 between the brackets' 23 and the slats 34 will cause the slats to slowly turn upon their axes so that the slats will be tact with located substantially flatwise to the window as best shown in Fig. 5 when the lazy tongs reach the fully extended position.

If it is desired to tilt the slats azdally to the edgewise position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 or to any intermediate position between that and the positionv shown in Fig. 5, when the lazy tong evers are fully extended or are at any position between the retracted and fully extended position, a quarter turn backward upon the shaft 15 will tilt the lazy tongs back to vertical position as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and swing the slats to edgewise position relative to the window as shown in said-figures.

If it is desired to tilt the slats to a less degree the rod l5 should be given less than a quarter turn proportionate to the amount of tilt desired.

When itis desired to again retract the shade to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, rotation of the shafts l5 and i1 in the proper direction will retract the lazy tongs and move-the brackets 23 and slats '34 into the retracted position edgewise to the window as shown in Figs.2 and 3.

It should be noted that the lazy tongs are limited to only a quarter-turn around the'rod 15 by means of the stops 43 and 44 at the bottom and front side respectively of the bracket l6 for conthe angular end portion of the bracket I claim: I i

-1. A window shade comprising a rod located at one sided a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to said rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals upon said lazy tong levers and slidably mounted upon said rod, slats connected at their ends to said brackets, and means for operating said lazy tong levers to slidably move the brackets upon the rod.

2. A window shade comprising a rod located at one side of a window Opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to said rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals upon said lazy tong levers and slidably mounted upon said rod, slats axially pivotally connected at their ends to said. brackets, means for axially tilting said slats, and

means for operating said lazy tong levers to slidably move the brackets upon the rod.

3. A window shade comprising a rod located at one side of a window opening, a series .of lazy tong levers located, parallel to said rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals upon said lazy tong levers and slidably mounted upon said rod,' slats axially pivotally connected at-their ends-to said brackets, means for moving the lazy tong levers around the rod, means operated by the moving of the lazy tong levers around the rod for axially tilting the slats, and means for operating said lazy tong levers to slidably move the brackets upon the rod. 7

4. Awindow shade comprising a rod located at one side of a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to said rod,

brackets connected at spaced intervals upon said J lazy tong levers and slidably mounted upon said rod, slats axially pivotally connected at their ends,

ed rod located at one side of a window opening,

a series of lazy tong levers'located parallel to said rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals amass-r upon the lazy tong levers and slidably and rotatably mounted upon saidrod, one of said brackets having a threaded connection with the screw threaded rod, slats connected at their ends to said brackets, and means for rotating said rod to operate the lazy tong levers and slidablymove the brackets upon the rod.

6. A window shade comprising a screw threaded rod located at one side of a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to' said rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals upon the lazy tong levers and slidably and rotatably mounted upon said rod, one of said brackets having a threaded connection with the screw threaded rod, slats axially pivotally connected at their ends to said brackets, means for rotating said rod to operate the lazy tong levers for slidably moving the brackets upon'the rod, and means controlled by the operation of the lazy tong levers for moving the lazy tong levers around the rod and axially tilting the slats.

I. A window shade comprising a screw threaded. rod-located atone side of a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to said rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals upon the lazy tong levers and slidably and rotatably mounted upon said rod, one of said brackets having a threaded connection with the screw threaded rod, slats axially" pivotally connected at their ends to said brackets, means for rotating said rod to operate the lazy tong levers ror slidably moving brackets upon the rod, -means controlled by the operation of the lazy tong levers for moving the lazy tong levers around the brackets for axially tilting the slats.

8. Awindowshade oomprisingrodslocatedat opposite sides of a .therodandlinks connected tothe slats and to window opening, a series of leverslocated parallel to each rod, m connected at spaced intervals upon said lasytongleversandslidablymounteduponsaidets and means for simultaneously operating both series of lazy tong levers to slidably move the brackets upon the rods.

9. A window shade comprising rods located at oppodte sides of a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to each rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals upon said lazy tong levers and slidably mounted upon said rods, slats axially pivotaliy connected at opposite ends to the brackets, means for simultaneously operating both series of lazy tong levers to slidabiy move the brackets upon the rods, and

means associated with one series of lazy tong levers tor axially tilting the slats.

10. A window shade comprising rods located at opposite sides of a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to each rod, brackets connected at spaced intervals upon said lazy tong levers and slidably mounted upon said rods, slats axially plvotally connected at opposite ends to the brackets, means for simultaneously operating both series of lazy tong levers to slidably move the brackets upon the rods, and links connected to the slats and to one series of brackets for axially tilting the slats.

11. A window shade comprising a screw threaded rod located at one side of a window opening, a series of lazy tong levers located parallel to said rod; a friction connection between the rod and the lazy tong levers, brackets connected at' WAIDOILBTRIBY. 

